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Universal Music Promotes Max Hole to Chairman, CEO of UMG International

The music major says it wants to strengthen its global management team after the acquisition of the EMI recorded music business.

Vivendi's Universal Music Group has promoted Max Hole to the post of chairman and CEO of UMG International in the wake of the acquisition of the recorded music business of EMI late last year.

Previously COO of the music giant's international arm, he reports to Lucian Grainge, group chairman and CEO of UMG.

Based in London, Hole is also a member of the music company's executive board and will be responsible for its global operations outside the U.S. In addition, Hole will oversee UMG's worldwide classical music business, including the iconic Deutsche Grammophon and Decca Classics labels.

The music major said that Hole has been instrumental in bringing such stars as Taylor Swift, Queen and the Eagles to UMG. He also helped secured the company's partnership with global music TV format The Voice.

The UMG veteran joined the company as senior vp, marketing and A&R, in 1998. After becoming executive vp in 2004, he was promoted to the post of COO of UMG International. Hole began his music industry career as an independent artist manager and record producer before working at Warner Music U.K. for 16 years.

"We are strengthening our global management team following the important acquisition of EMI Recorded Music," Grainge said. "Max has contributed significantly to the evolution and continued success of our international business. There is no one better to lead our efforts outside the US, where we anticipate significant growth opportunities with the addition of EMI to our existing international portfolio."

"The future for the music industry is looking brighter than it has for some time, and there's no shortage of energy, innovation and creativity in Universal's companies around the world," Hole said. "I'm looking forward to working with new colleagues and artists from EMI and integrating our two great companies successfully."